Yang beats Conners in final of US Amateur

JOHNS CREEK, Ga. — South Korea’s Gunn Yang has completed his improbable run to the U.S. Amateur title with a 2-and-1 victory over Canada’s Corey Conners.

At No. 776, Yang became the lowest-ranked player in the world amateur standings to win the country’s biggest title for non-professional golfers. Along the way, he beat five players inside the top 100, including the 44th-ranked Conners.

The 20-year-old Yang, a San Diego State player, never trailed in the 36-hole final at Atlanta Athletic Club, pushing his lead to 2 up with four to play by rolling in an 18-foot birdie putt at No. 14. He closed out the match with a tap-in par at No. 17, the 35th hole.

The South Korean was 1 up after the morning round. Afternoon play was halted by a rain delay of 1 hour, 37 minutes.